Grosssss, MFP!

springlering62
springlering62 Posts: 8,481 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
That ad with the big glob of wax and dirt being pulled out of someone’s ear? Does MFP vet these ads? Or is this a subtle plot to make sure I lose my appetite for the rest of the day?

Gag!!!!
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Replies

  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    MikePTY wrote: »
    Google chooses these ads. And their algorithm knows you better than you know yourself. So make of that what you will.

    Makes me wonder...WTF with the earwax ads?
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,269 Member
    MikePTY wrote: »
    Google chooses these ads. And their algorithm knows you better than you know yourself. So make of that what you will.

    Apparently, unbeknownst to me, I speak Spanish (admittedly took a little in high school 40+ years ago), and wear plus-sized clothing (haven't in 5 years). These are not rare to see, in ads, for me.

    I think you're more impressed, or maybe better captured, by Google's algorithms than I am. :)

    But yes, read threads about certain things, click on articles about them, etc., and Google munches that down like it was useful data. Sometimes it is. :lol:
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Google knows me pretty well. I keep getting ads for new workout pants that I am very tempted by.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    edited January 2020
    Sometimes you can click something on the ad (usually an exclamation mark "i" icon) to find out more about the ad.
    ea28dsu39y10.png

    Here are a couple of mine
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    b0gn6trc5ja7.png

    Edited to correct and add.

    What google thinks you're interested in is not the only way they target you. Sometimes the reason shows up as "websites you visited" or even more general targetting like this one (how general the targetting is depends on the kind of targetting the advertiser chooses)

    a2dbphys0rdn.png

    No, I'm not interested in shopping for boots and have not searched or visited anything that has to do with boots. This is a more general targetting as stated. The people this advertiser is attempting to reach may have visited some of the same websites I visited.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Uh, been snacking today compared to never, and getting ads for frozen foods for Devour.

    The one about listening in to conversation concerns me.
    I do not have Google enabled for auto voice response and assume that is true.

    @springlering62 - do you have phone enable for auto-voice response that it would have overheard your discussion about deaf family members and bed-ridden parents?

    Now let's see if I get those too. Got the Purdue already.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    I get ones for cruises, cute summer dresses, and bootees.

    I’ve now got a cruise booked for next year taking me to Barcelona and Venice, two cities I’ve wanted to visit forever.

    (If you browse MFP Forum on your phone using the website- no ads!)

    Cheers, h.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I haven't had ads while on the internet for many years now. I am beginning to think I am missing out on something.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    I haven't had ads while on the internet for many years now. I am beginning to think I am missing out on something.

    My main browser removes all ads and blocks trackers and cross-site cookies by default, but I use another browser for some specific stuff and sometimes open MFP there and see the ads. That's why I'm usually fascinated with why certain ads are served to me (based on older interest data).
  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,613 Member
    MikePTY wrote: »
    Google chooses these ads. And their algorithm knows you better than you know yourself. So make of that what you will.

    Nope. I’m defo not a man. I’ve checked!
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    claireychn074 wrote: »
    MikePTY wrote: »
    Google chooses these ads. And their algorithm knows you better than you know yourself. So make of that what you will.

    Nope. I’m defo not a man. I’ve checked!

    You can see here if it thinks you're a man or you're just getting ads based on shared interests. It's fascinating. Google thinks I'm an employer in a large organization, which is funny because I'm self employed, and there are a few other misses there, but some of the other interests are spot on:

    https://adssettings.google.com/
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    I'm getting just about every hotel chain banner ad possible (Hilton, Bonvoy, etc), and investment firms. My search history must be boring AF.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,745 Member
    I got the earwax ad on two different websites. I have to wonder what in my search history or interests would make Google think that was appropriate.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    I've currently got United and Purdue. Guess they think I need a vacation and more education.

    Education ... or chicken? Oh, wait, I've got the Purdue Global University ad too. And LinkedIn. And Carnival Cruises. So I need a vacation, education, and more business networking?
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    springlering62 wrote: »
    You know. That might just be it. I’m also getting tons of ads for hearing aids. I wonder if my phone has overheard me talking about deaf family members. That never even occurred to me. After I told someone a parent is bedridden, I was immediately swamped with adult diaper ads. It’s freaking scary.

    As a matter of fact, as I’m typing this:
    1k9cs16riq89.jpeg


    Going to look for my aluminum hat, right now!!!!!!

    Do you use google mail? Do you every discuss you deaf or bedridden family members in email? Or in instant messaging? I'm pretty paranoid, but I think it's more likely you're being targeted for ads through something you've written in a communication than from your phone listening to your conversations.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    Google, you don't know me at all. I'm neither in the market for a car (Toyota) or a mortgage (Lending Tree).
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,260 Member
    That's new! I could have sworn I wrote another post in this thread... nowhere to be found?!?
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,630 Member
    springlering62 wrote: »
    That ad with the big glob of wax and dirt being pulled out of someone’s ear? Does MFP vet these ads? Or is this a subtle plot to make sure I lose my appetite for the rest of the day?

    Gag!!!!

    It's your choice to get ads like that ... nothing to do with MFP!


    I get a lot of ads for shoes.

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